San Joaquin Kit Fox-Gabi Morgan
The San Joaquin Kit Fox
The San Joaquin Kit Fox (Vulpes Macrotis) is one of eight subspecies being the largest subspecies in skeletal measures, body size, and weight. It belongs to Canid species (canine) and is considered the smallest canid species in North America. First listed in March of 1967, the San Joaquin Kit Fox has been listed as endangered and threatened in the state of California for over 30 years.
Description
While their coats vary geographically, the most common coloring are tan in the Summer and grey for the Winter. Their bodies’ are slim with large close-set ears and a straight bushy tail carried low, parallel to their body.
Diet for the San Joaquin Kit Fox consists of mainly Kangaroo rats but also include Pocket mice, White Footed mice, Grey Squirrels, and some vegetation. Their population density and reproductive success is correlated with abundance of their prey. Currently, one of their primary meals, Kangaroo rats, is also listed as endangered on the Environmental Conservation Online System. Much of their prey are sensitive to drought, or too much rainfall. Interesting enough, the San Joaquin Kit Fox is also sensitive to precipitation, as their population increases with increased rainfall.
Population and Geographical Range
As their name suggests, this subspecies of kit fox resides in the San Joaquin valley in grasslands, chenopod scrub (shrublands), alkali sink, subshrub scrub, oak woodland, and agriculture. By the 1930’s their range had been reduced by more than half with most of their range remaining in the southern and western parts of the valley. Their current distribution is in the foothill of coastal ranges including Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara counties, as well as some areas of the valley floor.
The latest data for the populations of the San Joaquin Kit Fox were from the 1970s and estimated that there were 11,000 fox in SLO, Kings, Tulare, and Kern counties (more than half of that population being in Kern and San Luis Obispo) without correction for cultivated and urbanized land. This means the population has declined 20-30% when compared to a pre-1930s estimate.
Their home range can vary from 1 square mile up to 12 square miles, so it can be difficult to accurately track populations. For example, one radio-collared kit fox once traveled from Camp Roberts to Carrizo plains (80 miles). They can switch dens from three to 24 times in one year. One possible reason for changing dens so frequently is the avoidance of predators, most prevalent being coyotes.
Main Threats
Predation from coyotes, red fox, the domestic dog, and bobcats accounts for the majority of San Joaquin kit fox mortality and offers a major threat for both young and adult foxes. Annually, young kit fox have a mortality rate of 70% while adults have a rate of 50%. Disease, parasites, and accidental death are thought to be a minor part of their mortality, while most of their mortality is from predators or human induced (shooting, poisoning, road kills etc.). Coyotes may also help the kit fox by killing off red foxes resulting is less red fox abundance and distribution. Competition with other predators may also threaten the kit fox, as they have to fight for prey and den sites.
Another threat and main cause of the San Joaquin Kit Fox listing is habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation. Starting in the 1950’s, 34% of their natural habitat was industrialized in just 10 years. The development and urbanization of their natural habitat has also created noise, ground vibrations, poisonous gases, oil leakages, and waste waters.
Recovery Plan
As of now, the San Joaquin Kit Fox has a recovery priority of 3C (1C being the highest priority and 18 being the lowest). There are two levels to the recovery plan.
Level A strategy has a main goal to work toward an establishment of a viable complex of kit fox populations on private and public lands by protecting, restoring, and managing their three core populations: Carrizo Plain National Monument, natural lands of western Kern county, and Ciervo-panoche natural area. Currently, researchers are trying habitat enhancement, relocation, supplemental feeding, and coyote control to enhance recovery.
Level B strategy has a main goal to research kit foxes and find info on their distribution and status through current and historical range. To be able to help conserve these animals, they need to obtain more accurate data on their ranges.
What can you do to help these animals?
As stated on the California Fish and Wildlife government run website:
Because of federal and state endangered species laws, it is unlawful for public to handle or trap a SJ
- Never feed a kit fox or other wildlife; keep pet food indoors.
- Remove sources of water.
- Seal trash containers to prevent access.
- Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other prey.
- Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
- Don't trap stray cats in areas used by kit foxes. Trapped foxes could get injured and their pups are vulnerable when unattended.
- Never fill or destroy a burrow that may be used by kit foxes. State and federal laws protect their burrows.
- Take down sports nets at schools, parks and other recreational facilities when not in use. Store furled and out of reach, especially at night.
- Avoid the use of rodent poisons in kit fox habitat.
Other resources
If you find or have information about a trapped, injured, or distressed San Joaquin kit fox, please contact:
CDFW Central Region, (559) 243-4005 ext.133
Sources:
Environmental Conservation Online System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife recovery plan of kit fox:
Defenders of Wildlife non-profit:
California Fish and Wildlife advice for how to keep kit fox wild:
Pictures in order:
Derevan, Rick. Kit Fox and young. Defenders of Wildlife. https://defenders.org/san-joaquin-kit-fox/basic-facts
Kit Fox carrying Grey Squirrel. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/343821752788842692/
San Joaquin Kit Fox sitting at base of den. Survival Adaptations. Google sites. https://sites.google.com/a/stu.sandi.net/san-joaquin-kit-foxnp2017/survival-adaptations
Harms, Marlin. Two Kit Fox pups playing. Flick River. http://www.flickriver.com/photos/marlinharms/17008538279/
McNeal, Kevin. Carrizo Plains. http://www.kevinmcnealphotography.com/keyword/carrizo%20plain%20national%20monument/
Fox stuck in volleyball netting. https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Keep-Me-Wild/Kit-Fox
Artist rendering of Kit Fox. http://www.furry.de/suran/fox_db/Vulpes_velox.html
It’s very sad that the San Joaquin Kit Fox has been threatened in California for such a long time period. It’s a good thing they haven’t gone extinct in California after 30 years of being threatened. You can tell by the depth of your research and work on the blog you really care about the San Joaquin Kit Fox. I like how in the “what can you do section” you gave a lot of suggestions for helping the foxes and even provided a phone number to call since the San Joaquin Kit Fox are in San Luis Obispo.
ReplyDeleteVictoria Plumb
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ReplyDeleteIt is imperative that you save the San Joaquin pit fox due the environmental net positive it seems to provide. It not only provides to the maintenance of this environment, but it is also cute. You gave really good suggestions for ways we can help the kit fox and its environment. -Elizabeth Neill
ReplyDeleteIt is very unfortunate San Joaquin Kit Fox has not come off the endangered list for 50 years now. I liked the what can you do now section. Very informative; a lot of those suggestions make a lot of sense but there are also a few that are news to me as a way to preserve and keep a healthy environment for the fox.
ReplyDeleteDominic Parella
I found your information very informative and you did a great job of giving enough information but not too much. I really liked your use of photographs and maps to get a better idea of the animal and where it lives. Overall you did a great job organizing and presenting your information, and your sources were really good. Well done. -William Motluk Bewley
ReplyDeleteI loved the way your blog was set up and found that it was very easy to follow with a good amount of information. For the species you chose, I like that it is found in San Luis Obispo because that made me very interested in learning more about it, as it became more relevant to me personally. I also liked reading about their specific predators and I like how you talked about them rather than just saying predators are a threat to them.
ReplyDelete- Skylar Millard
I found your blog to be well informing. I find it amazing how these species are found here in San Luis Obispo county but as well in the county where I am from, making me more engaged in knowing more about this species. I like how go into detail in every section from specific details such as how their habitat destruction is not only harming them but also their prey. Also, I find it sad how soccer nets or volleyball nets could cause great harm to their population. I hope they could come off the endangered list soon since they have been there for a long time.
ReplyDelete-Alejandrina Perez
Great read. I found this very professionally written and organized. The maps of their regions where they live are very informative and helpful in imagining where I could come across one. I especially like the bullet points where you detail things we can do to help.
ReplyDeleteHenrik Moe
Very well written blog. I think the ears in the San Joaquin Kit Fox are so interesting. Hopefully, their habitat can be re-established and preserved so that this species can thrive. I like Level A strategy because not only will it help this particular species of foxes, but also many other plants and animals. I like how clear you stated in ways which we can help prevent fox deaths.
ReplyDelete-Jordi Oliver